For more than two decades in Gorham he was known as Mr. Strout, the British literature teacher and play director, until his retirement in 2005. Since we shared interest in Spanish, I enjoyed calling him “jefe” (the boss), el cap-i-tan, or El Tio-Uncle Gordon.

This March, while here on an annual ski vacation, an unexpected illness caused him to pass away.

Gordon Strout extended generosity, projected a fun-loving attitude, and quietly maintained a curiosity for gadgets. Our paths crossed some 45 years ago as graduates in search of teaching positions, both enjoying the belief in and a commitment to President Kennedy’s civic challenge: “…ask what you can do for your country.”

Classroom public service seemed a natural calling for Gordon’s emerging talent; he was a born communicator. His reflective nature led to the high degree of what can be considered a form of “self-actualization.” This was notable in his enthusiastic, yet patient manner.

We had set out wide-eyed in the Vietnam War era. Later, by coincidence in the 1980s, our lives would reconnect as members of the same faculty. In addition to processing daily administrative details, Gordon’s teaching style was exemplary to include a yearbook dedication. His cheerful classroom animation was known to spark increased participation, the outcome of which boosted literary insight and levels of project research. The characteristic motto: “Watch And Learn” allowed him to model successful behavior – to demonstrate by design. Idealism held his attention. A poor outcome was taken as nothing more than an opportunity to invest in a better one.

The more I came to know him, the more I found him to be multi-tasking his multi-tasks. El Tio was forever tinkering. Surrounding his school duties, he showed a readiness to share person to person. His passion for literature, for artwork, maps and travel, architecture, machinery, and especially the power of a sailing wind – for any number of activities – filled his days with pleasure.

He operated with the care of a museum curator, the instinctive pursuit of a bird dog and the optimism of an alchemist. He could read a book nearly in one sitting. This ability to focus served him well when he was interpreting writings of William Shakespeare or “The Canterbury Tales” for student lessons, and after hours masterfully arranging play presentations. He related complex, scripted dialogue with types of encouragement that instilled confidence in his students.

A remarkable vision of Gordon, aside from watching him clip in his prized Sebago spinnaker, was when dressed in a tuxedo he would walk calmly to center spotlight and graciously welcome the wider community to its fall play or spring musical. He coordinated these with professional knowledge and unlimited praise, his inclusive approach attracted actor, stage crew and parent volunteers alike.

Those were pride-filled times; hundreds of hours he had invested to assemble Broadway productions so we could, for a delightful evening, view the next generation’s talent. I knew how much these events meant to him.

A fellow teacher of ours kept the motivational quotation “Find A Way – Or Make One” on his science wall. Gordon always found a way to make one.

My family friend and extraordinary colleague made good use of his gift. Muy bien!

Bob Clark of Windham retired from the World Languages Department of Gorham High School in 2015.

Gordan Strout